On Saturday, April 27, 2024, the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, held local government election across the 33 council areas.
HMTV, however, reports that the election conducted under the chairmanship of Isiaka Olagunju, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has been generating mixed reactions.
According to OYSIEC, the election was conducted in a peaceful manner in all the 33 local government areas and 361 wards.
But our correspondent, who monitored the election, reports that the exercise was marred by voter apathy and late arrival of electoral materials in most of the polling units.
The electoral body had earlier promised that the election would start at 8 am and end by 3 pm but this was not so in most of the polling units.
This is in addition to the absence of result sheets in most of the polling units.
However, the electoral body declared winners of the election the following day despite the perceived irregularities and public outcry by the opposition political parties and other stakeholders.
The commission declared the winners of the election on Sunday, 28th April 2024.
The results of the election showed that candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the ruling political party, won all the positions. Oyo LG election peaceful – Makinde
The State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde in his reaction, described the election as peaceful.
Makinde made the declaration while addressing journalists shortly after he cast his vote at Polling Unit 1, Ward 11, in Ibadan Northeast local government area.
He commended the citizens of the state for turning out to vote.
He noted that the security report about the election had been excellent.
The governor said, “For us in Oyo State, it is almost like a given that democracy at the grassroots is what we practice. This is almost our 5th year in office, and we are holding local government elections for the second time.
“Before we came in, it had always been caretaker administration at the grassroots without the people having a say in who should govern them.
“You can see around also that the people are going about, performing the exercise peacefully and the traffic restriction is being obeyed by the people.
“So, I will commend our people for coming out to take democracy seriously at that level.”
Reps’ member, Olajide describes election as peaceful, commends security agencies.
A member of the House of Representatives representing Ibadan Northwest/ Ibadan Southwest federal constituency, Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide in his reaction also described the exercise as peaceful.
He used the opportunity to commend security agencies for maintaining peace and orderliness during the election.
Olajide further urged Nigerians to change their attitude towards local government elections.
He lamented a situation where only few people come out to vote during local government elections.
The lawmaker made these declarations shortly after he cast his vote in Ibadan Southwest local government area.
“I want the people to attach importance to local government elections in the country. The people should come out the way we usually do during the presidential, national assembly and state elections.
“Our people do not always come out for local government elections.
“We should do it the way we used to do during the general elections. Because it is your power. It is when you vote that you can ask for development. It is your right,” he stated.
APC calls for cancellation.
On its part, the major opposition political party in the state, All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for the cancelation of the election.
The party described the election as a sham.
APC in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Olawale Sadare said that the election was capable of causing the state untold disrepute if allowed to stand.
“With what is happening at the moment in most Polling Units across the state, Gov. Seyi Makinde has again disappointed the whole world.